“Did you know that Beijing has been China’s capital for centuries?” I ask. Welcome to u9a6cu80ccu5cad. Beijing stands as one of the oldest continuously inhabited places.
The first city erected here was Jicheng. It was founded in 1045 BC. Jicheng was the capital of the Ji Kingdom. Over the centuries, Beijing saw rulers change. The city became the capital of smaller empires like the Yan Kingdom and the Yuan Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty had two capitals. But Beijing was the main one. The Qing Dynasty also kept Beijing as its capital.
Beijing was the capital of the Republic of China until 1928. Then Nanjing took the title. After the Chinese Civil War, the People’s Liberation Army captured Beijing. They made it the capital of the People’s Republic of China. Today Beijing is the political educational and cultural center of China. It is also China’s number one tourist city. It is also China’s second largest city.
Beijing, previously known as Peking, is the capital city of China. Dominating the north of China, there is a lot going on in Beijing. Beijing’s history can be traced back 3000 years. It’s about as old as London. It is six times older than New York. And ten times older than Sydney. The city retains a wealth of historical sites. The Great Wall and the Forbidden City are two examples.
Beijing is also one of the oldest inhabited areas. Fossils show that Peking Man lived here long ago. That was from 770000 to 230000 years ago. The Peking Man World Heritage Site at Zhoukoudian is where to see the fossils. Beijing has been the capital for six notable Chinese governments. China has been ruled from Beijing for over 700 years. This is why there are many historical sites to explore.
Before settling on the name “Beijing” in 1403, the city had many names. Some names were Jicheng Yanjing Nanjing Zhongdu Dadu and Beiping. Beijing means Northern Capital. It was the 16th name given to the city. Beijing is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They include the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Also, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. The Ming Tombs and Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian too. And the Grand Canal.
Thanks to its long history and deep cultural roots, Beijing has unique architecture arts and cuisine. A culture tour here includes imperial architecture like the Forbidden City. Also narrow hutong lanes with traditional courtyard houses. Don’t forget performing arts like Beijing opera. And Beijing cuisine like roast duck. See the magnificence of Chinese culture in its capital.
Beijing Municipality has a population of almost 22.5 million. It is in an area of 16800 square kilometers. Beijing is China’s second-largest city after Shanghai. Plan your time well here. Crowds traffic and the city’s size are big challenges.
Beijing Capital International Airport is the world’s second-busiest airport. It is often the entry and exit airport for China. A new visa-free transit policy makes the city a convenient travel destination. It allows travelers from 54 countries to enjoy a 10-day trip in Beijing without a visa.
The best times to visit are May or October. Beijing has extreme temperatures. The highest was 42 degrees Celsius. The lowest was -27 degrees Celsius. April May September October and November are the most beautiful months. Avoid national holidays though. Tourist sights are very crowded then.
One of the biggest sights is the Olympic Park. It was built for the Summer Olympics in 2008. China’s National Stadium The Bird’s Nest and National Aquatics Center The Water Cube are marvels. If you like modern architecture, don’t miss them. The air quality is getting better. The city has plenty of great air days. The situation has improved even in the last few years. Breathing Beijing’s air for six days is like smoking one cigarette. This is not bad for a large developing city.